Read on Twitter
Okay here’s the thread.
1. Don’t set up play areas in your work space, set up a work space in your play area.
Your needs are less complex than your kid who is learning at an exponential rate. I used to try to create a desk and have a place for my kids to play. It didn’t work. https://twitter.com/RaeCorson/status/1240935943663685632
1. Don’t set up play areas in your work space, set up a work space in your play area.
Your needs are less complex than your kid who is learning at an exponential rate. I used to try to create a desk and have a place for my kids to play. It didn’t work. https://twitter.com/RaeCorson/status/1240935943663685632
Kids get bored quickly. Set up a place they can roam free & do dif things e.g. draw, play with dolls/figures, build lego etc without your help & train them to tidy up each thing before moving to the next (I mean mine largely won’t, but we try haha AND it’s another activity!)
This approach gives them a couple hours of play whilst you sit in a comfy chair/beanbag to the side & work.
Be real, you need a laptop, notepad, pens & a planner at most. Flexibility with your workspace gives them the immersive play zone they need to develop their growing minds
Be real, you need a laptop, notepad, pens & a planner at most. Flexibility with your workspace gives them the immersive play zone they need to develop their growing minds
2. USE A PLANNER. I plan each week then each day and review in the eve and morning. When you have little kids there is no time to waste so plan.
Planning reduces the stress caused by the stop & start of working with kids. No “what now” just pick up where you had to stop
Planning reduces the stress caused by the stop & start of working with kids. No “what now” just pick up where you had to stop
There are largely two types of planner, the one for when you don’t have kids with you or known interruptions coming and the one for when you do.
Open thematic & structured planning is a life changer for when you know you’ve got meetings/people dropping in/kids being kids. Eg:
Open thematic & structured planning is a life changer for when you know you’ve got meetings/people dropping in/kids being kids. Eg:
After using both types I think a minute by minute type planner is great for creating ideal schds & a broader, less precise planner w/ the order in which you will do things is more realistic for daily planning + allows for enjoyable, flexible work.
Here’s the detailed one we use
Here’s the detailed one we use
Coordinate plans with your team if you have one. I made this for @Afrocenchix
Us working roughly in sync makes it easier to know when others are available. (Those who work better at different times amend to their needs and update on their calendar & we can all see each other’s)
Us working roughly in sync makes it easier to know when others are available. (Those who work better at different times amend to their needs and update on their calendar & we can all see each other’s)
3. Remember all kids have to sleep more than you!
It may not feel like it, believe me I know. A health visitor commented that my now 3yo is at the lower end of sleep requirements! But she needs a few hours more than me anyway.
If you’re a morning person, do deep work then.
It may not feel like it, believe me I know. A health visitor commented that my now 3yo is at the lower end of sleep requirements! But she needs a few hours more than me anyway.
If you’re a morning person, do deep work then.
If you’re a night person, do deep work then. Whatever your situation, there will be a time before you sleep or after you’ve slept that the kids are asleep.
Use it to relax & use it for planned slots of 1-2 hours of focused work.
1 Kid still awake? Spend 1:1 time w/ them & replan
Use it to relax & use it for planned slots of 1-2 hours of focused work.
1 Kid still awake? Spend 1:1 time w/ them & replan
4. Mix up shifts & share care.
If you have a partner/parent/sibling in the house then take shifts but also have some shared sessions. If you only ever have the kids OR your work it can be daunting. Mix it up. Try to work alone, w/kids & w/kids & another adult to maintain sanity!
If you have a partner/parent/sibling in the house then take shifts but also have some shared sessions. If you only ever have the kids OR your work it can be daunting. Mix it up. Try to work alone, w/kids & w/kids & another adult to maintain sanity!
5. Outings/play dates #StayAtHome edition
I rely a lot on parks & soft play to get work done whilst keeping the kids happy
So we improvise! Take cushions off sofas, pull out alll teddy’s & a bunch of balls - soft play
Hide in a cupboard & call their cousins/friends - play date
I rely a lot on parks & soft play to get work done whilst keeping the kids happy
So we improvise! Take cushions off sofas, pull out alll teddy’s & a bunch of balls - soft play
Hide in a cupboard & call their cousins/friends - play date
6. Use walks in the park/drives for phone calls
Yes people may judge but it’s best for you & your kids that they are engaged in something fun whilst you have calls!
We’re stuck home with symptoms but once we’re out I’ll do what I usually do - take the kids for walks during calls
Yes people may judge but it’s best for you & your kids that they are engaged in something fun whilst you have calls!
We’re stuck home with symptoms but once we’re out I’ll do what I usually do - take the kids for walks during calls
7. High chairs for the win!
Baby prisons are great for snacks & painting. Set up 5 activities & rotate them whilst you work, that way you’re forced to take a 5 min break every 20 mins or so to get your kid immersed but you don’t have to think about it so can stay productive.
Baby prisons are great for snacks & painting. Set up 5 activities & rotate them whilst you work, that way you’re forced to take a 5 min break every 20 mins or so to get your kid immersed but you don’t have to think about it so can stay productive.
8. Do the unexpected - make a fort and bring out the contraband! For us it’s nail varnish. My 3yo isn’t allowed it but we’re making exceptions cos she’s stuck home with the virus. Whilst it’s drying she won’t touch ANYTHING and that hour or so is wonderful. Be creative
9. Explain what you’re doing and use timers. I tell my 3yo that I need to email my team as they are waiting for me. Then I’ll set a 5 min timer & show her. She’s learnt to say excuse me & count/wait. This is good for her long term self control. Of course it doesn’t fly w/ my 1yo!
With smaller kids, still explain but follow their lead on how much they’ve understood.
When my son doesn’t get that I need to do something, I’ll meet his needs first then tell him what I’m going to do. I also give him options to play with whilst I do work.
When my son doesn’t get that I need to do something, I’ll meet his needs first then tell him what I’m going to do. I also give him options to play with whilst I do work.
10. Don’t feel bad about what you need to do to stay sane! We don’t have a TV but the kids do watch cartoons for an hour or so when we need a break. If I’m sick we all watch kids films & snack in bed. Yes it’s not the best but aiming for perfection will steal your joy.
11. Whilst there's no shame in co-parenting with Elmo from time to time, remember that frequent breaks actually BOOST your productivity. So don't feel bad about working in 25-45 minute bursts with slots of play or reading books between. Science says it's better for you anyway!
